The Functional Executive Committee (FEC) of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has warned members seeking to contest for various offices in the party’s upcoming polls in 2018 to desist from vilifying those others with similar interests.

In a statement copied to Joy News, the Committee said it has observed that “some potential aspirants and their followers have resorted to insults, and vilification of potential contestants.”

The statement signed by the party’s National Chairman Kofi Portuphy added that “This abuse takes place, at times in a highly toxic manner on social media and sections of the media.”

The statement reminds all potential hopefuls, aspirants and their affiliates, as well as all party followers, that such acts constitute ‘anti party conduct', “and at the same time destroy the cohesive unity of the party.

“Such conduct seriously undermines the painstaking efforts by Council of Elders and the NEC to reorganise the party,” the statement said.

ADVERTISEMENT

The FEC reminds all party faithful that the NDC’s internal electoral processes that allow members to engage in campaigns and other political activities have “NOT yet been officially launched”.

The party is actively working on various programs and guidelines to ensure an equitable playing ground to enable credible electoral process towards successful primaries being held at all levels of our party, the statement said.

It further encouraged members to participate in the on-going registration exercise to enable the party re-establish a solid foundation, including the massive grass root base to recapture power in the 2020 elections.

Meanwhile, former Member of Parliament for Ablekuma Central, Theophilus Tetteh Chaie has described as misplaced and in bad taste, calls by the ten regional chairmen of the party for former president John Mahama to lead the party to the 2020 elections.

The ten chairmen in a statement released on Thursday “invited former president Mahama to, as a matter of urgency to embark on the delayed and much awaited ‘Thank you Tour’ to thank supporters of the NDC for supporting him through his tenure and the party over the years.”

ADVERTISEMENT

But Mr Chaie believes the move is wrong.

He said, “this is the time for the regional chairmen to sit down assess what led to the defeat in these regions and help reorganize the regions."

"People should not behave like they like the former president more than persons in the party. First things first, let us develop the party at the grassroots and the people themselves will come out and choose their leader,” he added.

The former MP said in essence, what the regional chairmen are trying to do by their call “is trying to shut the door on others who have the intention to contest. Nobody should be fighting for the former president.”